NOTE:
This Operation Plan was transcribed from COPY NO. 1016, typed 60 years ago.
The pages have aged, the type is not always clear, and the text has been
amended by hand-written notes (which will be shown in green,
although it is not always clear where the hand-written notes are additions,
or corrections or simply clarify faint text. Deleted text (strike-thru) is
displayed in [grey].

Every reasonable step has been taken to preserve the original formatting,
pagination, spelling, etc., but allowances should always be made for the
possibility of errors in my transcription.
--HyperWar

DECLASSIFIED

COMMANDER TASK FORCESEVENTY-SEVEN

MUSKETEERKING II

CANF SWPA - OPERATION PLAN 13-44

· CAUTION ·

Every precaution must be taken to prevent this plan from falling into enemy hands.
If capture or loss of ship is imminent this plan will be destroyed in its entirety.

General Situation. Allied Forces occupy the line: MARIANAS-LULITHI-PALAU-MOROTAI
and control the eastern approaches to the PHILIPPINES. Carrier and shore-based aircraft
strikes have serously reduced enemy air forces in the PHILIPPINES. Japanese air forces
in the PHILIPPINES have been so depleted that carrier-borne aircraft are capable of
establishing local control of the air at any point along the eastern PHILIPPINES Coast.
Air and submarine attacks have inflicted heavy losses on enemy shipping, thus
critically hampering his logistic support of his PHILIPPINE Forces.

The waters of LEYTE GULF, the east coast of LEYTE ISLANDS and the majority of sheltered
waters in the PHILIPPINES are mined or in the process of being mined.

The PHILIPPINES are honeycombed with an exstensive network of air bases through which
the enemy is capable of staging air attacks from remote bases.

There are 52 operational airfields within a radius of 360 miles of TACLOBAN, LEYTE.
Major bases within 100 miles are 3 on NEGROS, 2 on PANAY, 1 on CEBU, 1 at LEGASPI,
and 3 in the CAGAYAN-DEL MONTE Area.

The prinicpal strong points of Japanese land, sea and air forces in the CENTRAL
PHILIPPINES are centered in the CEBU-LOS NEGROS-PANAY Area.

Enemy Ground Forces on LEYTE ISLAND are estimated to be about 12,000 combat troops
with about 4000 service troops. These forces are centered principally in the
TACLOBAN and DULASG Areas. They are equipped with tanks and mobile artillery and it
is possible that fixed artillery is located in supporting positions covering
adjacent beaches.

It is not presently known but it is velieved that beaches on the east coast of LEYTE
are defended by barbed wire, obstacles and beach mines.

The island of SAMAR is believed to be held by about 4000 troops prinnicpally centered
in the CALBAYOG-CATBALOGAN Area.

Friendly Philippino guerilla forces are organized, armed and operating in the mountainous
regions of LEYTE ISLAND.

Assumptions.

That the enemy will react with all his available means within the objective area
to landings in the PHILIPPINES.

That the enemy may attempt to reinforce islands under attack by shore to shore
amphibious operations, principally at night, by utilizing small craft and barges.

That the enemy will attempt overwater evacuation of key personnel from objective
areas when further resistance appears futile.

That the enemy will conduct submarine attakcs on a limited scale in the open sea and
by small or midget submarines in the LEYTE GULF with probable route from CEBU through
the SURIGAO Straits.

That heavy bombardment will be required to reduce enemy strong points.

That extensive minesweeping will be required and beaches will be extenisvely planted
with mines and obstacles.

That sporadic air attacks in force and harrassing air raids, principally at night
will be made.

That night attacks by motor torpedo boats and anti-motor torpedo boats may be expected.

That the primary objective of enemy air, surface and sub-surface attacks will be
transports, with aircraft carriers as the secondary objective.

This force will, by a ship to shore amphibious operation, transport, protect, land and
support elements of the 6th Army in order to assist in the seizure, occupation and
development of the LEYTE Area of the Southern PHILIPPINES.

Flagship Group perform tasks assigned by Commander Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force.
Commander Support Aircraft, Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force direct and/or
coordinate the operation of all support aircraft in conformity with the Plan of Air
Operations, Annex "G", and when present will
control combat air patrol and anti-submarine patrol in the objective area.

and RED beach (PALO) in the TACLOBAN area of Northern LEYTE. At W hour on A day land
1 RCT of the 24th Infantry Division on GREEN beach (PANAON STRAIT). Establish prior
to A-day a Harbor EDntrance Control Unit and maintain until relieved of the
responsibiolity by Commander Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force.

For coordinating purposes, furnish Command Southern Attack Force requirements
for bombardment by ships gunfire, for night harassing fire, and for advance clearance
of beach obstacles by Demolution Units prior to A-day. In accordance with Fire Support
Plan, Appendix 1 to Annex "E", furnish
instructions to Fire Support Unit North and Close Covering Group for
approach to A-day fire support areas, and for bombardment, night harassing fire,
and close fire support on A-Day and subsequent to A-Day as required, and assume
control of these units upon arrival in the objective area. Control and direct
operations of own Demolition Units on A-Day and subsequent thereto. Release
Fire Support Unit North when no longer 4required. Release Close Covering
Group when no longer required to operational control Commander Central
PHILIPPINES Attack Force. Through Commander Support Aircraft, Northern
Attack Force control such aircraft as have been specifically assigned by
Commander Support Aircraft, Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force. Provide
antit-submarine, anti-motor torpedo boat and anti-aircraft protection in area of
responsibility shown in Appendix 4 to
Annex "L". Transfer boats and personnel to boat pools in accordance with Boat Pool Plan,
Annex "I". Control and conduct salvage operations
in accordance with Salvage Plan, Annex "J".
When SOPA in the objective area, provide and control combat air patrol and
anti-submarine patrol in accordance with Air Plan, Annex
"G".

Southern Attack Force transport XXIV Corps (7th and 96th Divisions) of Sixth
U.S. Army furnishing protection therefor. At J-Hour on A-Day land XXIV Corps on ORANGE-BLUE
beaches (SAN JOSE) and VIOLET-YELLOW beaches (DULAG). In accordance with Fire Support
Plan, Appendix 1 to Annex "E", furnish
Commander Bombardment and Fire Support Group with instructions for bombardment
by ships gunfire and for night harassing fire on days prior to A-Day, coordinating
with requirements of Northern Attack Force with own requirements. Furnish
Commander Beach Demolition Group with instructions for clearance of beach obstacles
on days prior to A-Day, coordinating the requirements of Northern Attack Force:
with own requirements. Furnish instructions to Fire Support Unit South for
approach to A-Day fire support areas and for bombardment, night harassing fire and

(4)

close fire support on A-Day and subsequent to A-Day and subsequent to A-Day as
required, and assure control of these units upon arrival in the objectiv e area. Control
and direct operations of own demolition units on A-Day and subsequent thereto. Release
Fire Support Unit South when no longer required. Through Commander Support
Aircraft, Southern Attack Force control such aircraft as have been specifically
assigned by Commander Supporyt Aircraft, Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force.
Provide anti-submarine, anti-motor torpedo boat and anti-aircraft protection in
area of responsibility shown in Appendix 4
to Annex "L". Transfer boats and personnel to boat pools in accordance with Boat Pool Plan,
Annex I. Control and conduct salvage
operations in accordance with Salvage Plan, Annex
J. When SOPA in the objective area, provide and control combat air patrol and
anti-submarine patrol in accordance with Air Plan,
Annex "G".

Bombardment and Fire Support Group prior to A-Day carry out bombardment and
night harassing fire in accoredance with instructions issued by Commander Southern
Attack Force. Cover and control [activities of beach
demolition units and minesweeping units until arrival of attack forces at the
objective.] the Preliminary landings of the Northern
Attack Force on A-3 Day. Cover and control activities of Beach Demolution Units and
progress of minesweeping and buoying. Send by despatch to Attack Force
Commanders, promptly as obtained, beach information and results accomplished by
beach demolition units. Through Advance Commander Support Aircraft, control support
aircraft at the objective until the arrival of Commander Support Aircraft,
Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force. During the ship bomba5rdment phase,
prior to A-Day, coordinate air-sea rescue and lifeguard services in accordeance with
Appendix 4 to Annex "G", Air-Sea Rescue Procedure.

Fire Support Unit North augmented by Close Covering Group exsecute approach
to A-Day fire support areas in accordiance with instructions of Commander Northern
Attack Force. Carry out bombardment, night harassing fire, and furnish close fire
support in accordance with instructions of or as directed by Commander Northern
Attack Force. When released by Commander Northern Attack Force, report to
and operated as directed by Commander Bombardment and Fire Support Group.

Fire Support Unit South execute approach to A-Day fire support areas in
accordance with instructions of Commander Southern Attack Force. Carry out
bombardment, night harassing fire, and furnish close fire support in accordance with
instructions of or as directed by Commander Southern Attack Force. When directed, release

Close Covering Group report to Commander Northern Attack Force, escort
and provide close support enroute to the objective area. Execute approach to A-Day
fire support areas, carry out bombardment and night harassing fire in accordance with
ionstructions issued by Commander Northern Attack Force. When released by
Commander Northern Attack Force report to Commander Central PHILIPPINES
Attack Force.

Escort Carrier Group provide air support as directed in Plan Air Operations,
Annex "G".

Minesweeping and Hydrographic Group sweep for acoustic, moored and influence
mines in LEYTE GULF Area in accordance with Minesweeping Plan,
Appendix 3 to Annex "E". Conduct
Hydrographic Survey and install navigational aids as directed. Operational control
of Minesweeping and Hydrographic Group is vested in Senior Officer Present Afloat.

Beach Demoliton Group, preliminary to A-Day under the operational control of
Commander Bombardment and Fire Support Group, clear beach obstacles in
accordance with instructions prepared by Commander Southern Attack Force.
Upon arrival of Southern Attack Force report to the Commander of that force for duty.

Commander Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force will on and subsequent to A Day
coordinate air-sea rescue operations in accordance with
Appendix 4 to Annex G.

Commanders ordering movements will disseminate necessary information to All Task Force,
Task Group and Air Force Commanders concerned in order to prevent accidental
engagement of own forces.

This operation will be mounted from MANUS, FINSCHAFFEN, and HOLLANDIA.

(6)

Commander Support Aircraft Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force will provide and
control combat air patrol and anti-sumbarine patrol when in the objective area.
In the absence of Commander Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force combat air patrol
and anti-submarine patrol will be controlled by a Commander Support Aircraft under
the directon of the Senior Officer Present Afloat in the objective area.

An AVP will report for duty to Commander Bombardment and Fire Support Group
on A-3 day and will be available for tending battleship
and cruiser VO-VCS planes. When released by Commander Bombardment and Fire Support
Group the tender will revert to the operational control of Commander Central
PHILIPPINES Attack Force.

An anti-submarine patrol will be established by each Attack Force to cover
the entrance to LEYTE GULF within own area of responsibility. At least one vessel
on each patrol station will maintain continuous radar guard being equally alert
at night for enemy surface vessels as well as aircraft and during daylight yours
for enemy aircraft in particular. This patrol is in addition to the flighter director
vessel(s). in the absence of either Attack Force, complete coverage will
be provided by the Attack Force remaining.

Attack Force Commander submit, detailed plans to Commander Central PHILIPPINES
Attack Force, with copies to Commanding General Sixth U.S. Army and Commander
in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area as soon as practicable.

The target date for A-Day, the day of major landing in the TACLOBAN-DULAG area
is 20 October 1944. It is planned that all landings will be made simultaneously.
The target time of H-Hour, J-Hour, and W-Hour is 1000.

Logistics, Base Development and Medical Plans in accordance with
Annex K.

Use Zone Zebra time in date time group of all despatches. Local time in area west of 150
degrees East Longitude and North of 7 degrees South Latitude is Zone Item (-9) time.
Local time in body of despatches must be followed by Zone time designation.

The Commander Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force is in command of the amphibious
operations and this command continues until the Landing Force is established ashore.
Command of the forces ashore is then passed to the Landing Force Commander.

The transfer of command will be accomplished as follows:

At each beach, when the Landing Force has been established ashore.
The local Landing Force Commander will assume command, informing the local
Attack Group Commander and reporting to his Attack Force Commander
for duty.

In each Attack Force when all Landing Forces have beenestablished
ashore and command has been shifted ashore, the Attack Force Commander
and the Corps Commander will so report to the Commander Central PHILIPPINES
Attack Force, the Corps Commander reporting to him for duty.

When all Landing Forces have been established ashore and the Commanding
General, Sixth Army, advises the Commander Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force
that he is ready to assume command, the command of the forces ashore is transferred to
the Commanding General, Sixth Army. The exact time of transfer of command
will be annaounced by radio to G.H.Q. and all Commanders concerned.

(8)

Task Force and Task Group Commanders listed in Task Organization of this plan
acknowledge receipt by despatch.

Vice Admiral WILKINSON in MOUNT OLYMPUS is second in command of Central
PHILIPPINES Attack Force.